The National Cross Country relays held in the traditional venue of Mansfield's Berry Hill Park on a very wet Saturday 5th November presented many of the Harriers endurance squad with a challenging and tough going X Country race. A torrential downpour which lasted a few hours quickly transformed the conditions underfoot and turned the course into slippery mud bath: ideal conditions!
The U17 Men were first into action and they performed very well with Josh Coles running an excellent lead leg and completing the 3km course in 9.53, in 30th position, followed by Liam Kirk (10.42) and Matt Stewart (10.35) who both struggled in the conditions dropping 15 places in total to finish in a very respectable 45th position overall.
Next it was the turn of the U13 girls who were joined for the first time by Danielle Gaskell (who turned 11 on the day!). Tabatha Walford was first off and never really go into her stride on the short course completing the 2km in 8.27 and finishing 52nd; Danielle Gaskell ran a solid debut in 8.34 and made up 6 places, with Beth Gordon running anchor leg in 8.56 and taking a further 2 places to finish in a fine 44th position overall.
The U15 girls consisting of Fran Ashworth, Gemma Vaughan and Abigail Coleman ran superbly to finish in an excellent 36th out of 95 teams. Fran ran an excellent first leg over the short 2km course in 8.01 to bring the team home in 31st position; Gemma was next off struggling in the wet conditions but ran a solid 8.49, and Abigail ran a tremendous last leg to make up a remarkable 14 places.
Also competing over the 2km course were the U15 boys who were without Josh Cara but ran despite the late withdrawal as an incomplete team. Jack Hope took on the lead leg and finished in 48th position in 7.30, with Edward Cannell getting his first taste of X Country running a very respectable 7.58.
The U13 Boys finished in 65th position with Ethan Mehmet running a solid 7.56, Gabrial Smith 8.11 and Ryan Barritt 9.31
Finally in a rare appearance on the X Country (4x 5km), the Harriers senior men fielded a full team to finish 150th with Peter Goringe recording 23.45, Martyn Winstone 22.27, Shane Smith 23.01 and Paul Young 24.03.
Well done to all who ran.